May 11, 2021

Wisdom for Words

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Wow! The potential to bring life or death is wrapped up in the use of our words. Solomon, in the great wisdom that he received from the LORD, knew the power of the tongue. And that is why so many proverbs deal with our tongue. When we recognize the power of the tongue, we will desire God’s wisdom for our words. It is good and right for us to consider some of these proverbs.

1. Do I speak too much? Proverbs 10:19 states, “in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
2. Do I speak enough? Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the speechless; In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
3. Are my words true? Proverbs 18:8 declares, “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.”
4. Do my words stir-up or turn away wrath? Proverbs 15:1 proclaims, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
5. Do I think before I speak? Proverbs 15:28 reveals, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”
6. Am I growing in my words or do my words still get me in trouble? Proverbs 16:23 describes the one who is growing, “the heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” Whereas, Proverbs 18:6-7 describes the foolish mouth, “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
7. Do I speak too quickly? Proverbs 20:25 warns of making a rash vow, “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.”
8. Do my words come from a heart of pride as they focus on me? Proverbs 27:2 clearly teaches, “let another man praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
9. When speaking words of correction do they heal and help? Proverbs 24:17 reminds us, “do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
10. Are my words seasoned with grace? Proverbs 22:11 encourages us with these words, “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.”

When we trust in the Lord with all of our heart, our tongues will be springs of life. May the God of life control our hearts so that our lips bring life. And when we recognize that we have leaned on our own understanding and have destroyed people with our words, then may we speak words of confession to our God. Proverbs 28:13 gives us this hope, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

May 14, 2019

The Resurrection & Prayer

On the first day of the week, nearly 2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ rose victoriously from the grave. Just a few short days ago, we at First Baptist Church of Ham-burg had a resurrection celebration as we shared a wonderful meal and then participated together in a joyful worship service. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the corner-stone of the gospel and without it everything falls apart. For the church of Jesus Christ, the resurrection impacts everything!

One specific area that the resurrection ought to impact the church is how we pray for one another. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and he told them his prayer request for them. How are you praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ? That can be a convicting question. Maybe you haven’t been praying for your church family. Maybe you have been praying some selfish requests. No matter how you answer that question, consider the apostle Paul’s request for the church at Ephesus: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and rev-elation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17-18a).


In summary, Paul’s request for the church is that they would know who they are in Jesus Christ. Then, Paul provides three specific areas in which the believers would know Jesus Christ. First, that they would know the hope of His calling (vs. 18b). Second, that they would know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (vs. 18c). And then he concludes with these words, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (vs. 19). Did you catch that last request? The resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that is at work in us who believe. And Paul wants the church to have their eyes open to that power. He wants them to know Christ and His resurrection power in their lives.


This becomes vitally important when we get to the practical section of Ephesians. We are called to put off the old man and put on the new. This is not something we can do in our own strength, but only through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. The book concludes with this admonition, “Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).” The resurrection of Jesus Christ declares the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. In His power we as believers find our strength to stand and fight temptation.


So even though our wonderful Resurrection Day celebration is behind us for 2019, remember that for the believer it is far more than a day to celebrate. The resurrection of Jesus Christ impacts everything, including how we pray for one another. The resurrection is a cornerstone doctrine for the church; prayer is a vital discipline for the church. And in Ephesians 1, prayer and the resurrection go together. So when you pray for yourself, your family and your brothers and sisters in Christ, make it your request that they will know Christ and the power of His resurrection.